Russell: My year of anguish

Former Don up for Black Cats battle

By Andrew Moir

Published:

NEW BOY: Russell makes his debut for Sunderland in a friendly in Cork last summer.

STRONG: Anderson, playing with Pymouth Argyle, battles with Wolves’ Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in a Coca-Cola Championship match.

THE BOSS: Sunderland manager Roy Keane.

RUSSELL Anderson has just been through the most turbulent 12 months of his career.

The Scotland defender secured what he thought was a dream £1million move south from Aberdeen to Sunderland last June.

But Russell suffered injury agony just weeks into his Stadium of Light career.

The former Dons skipper ruptured ligaments in his right ankle which ruled him out for three months.

After battling back from his injury hell he was forced out on loan to Plymouth in February, a move which revitalised his passion for his profession.

Russell now faces an uncertain close season as he awaits news of what Roy Keane has in store for him.

Despite a frustrating first season in England, the Aberdonian still insists he made the right choice.

“I have no regrets at all,” said Anderson.

“I always remember Danny Griffin rejecting the chance to move to Derby County for £1million earlier in his career.

“He was flying with St Johnstone and turned down the move before signing for Dundee United.

“I didn’t speak to him about it even when we were team-mates at Aberdeen.

“But I just thought ‘how would I feel about things if an English club wanted me and I turned them down?’

“I didn’t want to live my life with any regrets.

“I just want the opportunity to show what I can do in the Premier League.”

Russell is now enjoying a well-earned summer break before he returns to Sunderland ready for another crack at the world’s best league.

But after his loan spell with the Pilgrims he’s not keen on being farmed out again.

That’s because he doesn’t want to be separated from wife Claire and young sons Jevan and Cole.

He added: “It’s been a real period of upheaval over the last year following the initial move to a new club.

“That was before I suffered an injury which was unfortunate.

“Then I was sent out on loan to Plymouth which was good from a football point of view, but personally it was hard.

“It was a long three months as I was away from my family for the majority of that time.

“But it’s passed quite quickly although I’ve clocked up thousands of miles on my travels.”

It seems beating a path south to English football has become a common theme for Aberdeen players.

First it was Kevin McNaughton who moved to Cardiff City before Russell also followed the trail last summer.

Chris Clark and Michael Hart are both now playing in the Championship with Plymouth and Preston, while Barry Nicholson is also heading south.

Russell reckons the mass exodus is a back-handed compliment for the Pittodrie coaches.

“Aberdeen have had a successful season financially from doing well in Europe and bringing in a few transfer fees.

“They have had some good players at the club and everyone knows the financial situation they are in.

“They just can’t compete with the clubs down in England.

“Money isn’t everything, and there are situations when players just want to try something new which is understandable.

“Kevin has done very well at Cardiff although that doesn’t surprise me because he’s such a good player.

“Barry Nicholson is the latest one to go and although they will miss him it’s up to Jimmy Calderwood to find a replacement.”